Quick actions by Oregon Department of Forestry crews and rural fire departments have put out five fires just since May connected to target shooting.
“These fires are all preventable,” said Stephanie Beall, acting district forester for Forest Grove. “Thanks to timely reporting and quick response times by firefighting resources, these fires have been kept small so far, with the largest fire reaching only 1.5 acres, but it only takes a little bit of wind to quickly expand a fire if the fuel conditions are right.”
There is a long list of state forest shooting regulations and simplified dos and don’ts while target shooting that are good to follow for any area of the state. They are all important but there are some critical ones during fire season.
“The two most pressing problems are people bringing out and shooting exploding targets and shooting into stumps, logs or other debris,” said Beall
Exploding targets are banned year-round in all of Oregon’s state forests. Materials such as Tannerite can scatter hot debris in a large area quickly igniting dry fuels. But it’s not only exploding targets that are a concern, the hot lead of regular rounds that hits stumps and other natural backstops or targets can smolder for hours leading to fire starts long after the shooter has left the area. To minimize this hazard shooters should not put targets on or in front of logs, stumps or grassy areas.
“People are required to use manufactured targets on all state forests, with the exception being paper targets printed at home.” said Ben Burns, ODF’s recreation operations manager. “Do not place targets on live trees, stumps, logs or in any dry brushy areas.”
Another rule of which many recreational users are not aware, is that anyone using a vehicle in state forests during the regulated use portion of fire season must have a shovel and either a gallon of water or a 2.5-pound (or larger) fire extinguisher in that vehicle.
Similar rules apply to the Willamette National Forest and BLM lands outside Sweet Home, which ban all exploding targets, tracer bullets or incendiary ammunition. Would-be target shooters should check with the Sweet Home Ranger District’s office for other specific rules.
Target shooting on private timberlands, including Cascade Timber Consulting lands, is banned/ Information about entry and recreation on local private timberlands is available at ofic.com/private-forestland-closures.
For a list of shooting lanes and other recreational site locations and details, visit www.oregon.gov/odf/recreation/pages/default.aspx.
If you see a fire call 911. Also if you are a witness to the start of a fire and can provide information, eye-witness statements, video, photos or any other data, you can assist investigators by emailing them to [email protected].
BLM Issues Campfire Ban
The Bureau of Land Management last week enacted a Level II Fire Prevention Order further restricting fire-related activities on BLM-administered lands in Northwest Oregon, effective Aug. 1.
What’s Prohibited:
- All campfires, charcoal grills, and stove fires. (Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed.)
- Smoking in timber, brush, or grass areas, except in vehicles on roads or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter free of any flammable material.
- Driving off-road. Vehicles must stay on cleared roadways and park in areas free of vegetation.
- Exception: Motorcycles and Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs) are allowed on designated trails in Shotgun and Upper Nestucca OHV areas when the Fire Danger Class is low (green) or moderate (blue), or between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. when the Fire Danger Class is high (yellow).
- Chainsaw use or any operation generating sparks, such as welding, cutting, or grinding, except by permit.
- Use of combustion engines or electric tools near vegetation unless equipped with spark arresters that are properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order.
Those operating a motorized vehicle on BLM Northwest Oregon District administered lands must have the following in their vehicle:
- One shovel, at least 26 inches long, with a blade at least eight inches wide.
- One water container (at least one gallon filled to capacity), or a 2.5-pound ABC fire extinguisher, fully charged.
Those who violate the prohibition may be fined up to $100,000 and/or imprisoned for up to 12 months. In addition, those found responsible for starting wildland fires on federal lands can be billed for the cost of fire suppression and resource damages.
The restrictions apply to the 720,000 acres of BLM-administered land from Columbia County down to the northern boundary of Douglas County.